Get Instant Attention? Add Announcement Bar to Ecwid

An announcement bar is an excellent way to highlight key updates, promotions, or events in your Ecwid store. Whether you’re running a sale, offering free shipping, or sharing important news, an announcement bar ensures your message is visible without disrupting your visitors’ browsing experience.

Ecwid doesn’t have a built-in announcement bar feature, but you can easily add one using custom code or third-party tools. This guide will show you how to add and optimize an announcement bar for your Ecwid store.

Types of Announcement Bars

Here are some common use cases for announcement bars in Ecwid stores:

Promotional Bars

• Highlight discounts or special offers to boost sales.
• Example: “Get 20% off sitewide—Use Code: SAVE20.”

Urgency Bars

• Create urgency with time-sensitive promotions.
• Example: “Flash Sale Ends in 2 Hours—Shop Now!”

Shipping Announcements

• Inform customers about free shipping or delivery thresholds.
• Example: “Free Shipping on Orders Over $50!”

Event Notifications

• Promote upcoming events, launches, or seasonal sales.
• Example: “Black Friday Sale Starts November 24th—Mark Your Calendar!”

Policy Updates

• Share updates to policies or terms of service.
• Example: “Our return policy has been updated—Learn more.”

Type of Widgets:

• Anncoment Bar Widgets

• Recent Activity Notifications
• Reviews and Ratings Widgets
• Countdown Timer Widgets
• Form Submission Notifications
• Inline Widgets
• Exit-Intent Pop-Ups
• Live Visitor Count Widgets

Customizable Design

• Adjust colors, fonts, and styles to align with your brand.

Real-Time Updates

• Automatically display live or dynamic data like visitor counts or recent
  activities.

Targeted Messaging

• Personalize bars for specific audiences or user segments.

Urgency and Scarcity Elements

• Include countdown timers or stock alerts to drive quick action.

A/B Testing

• Experiment with different designs and messages to optimize performance.

Multi-Language Support

• Customize announcement bars in various languages for global reach.

Behavioral Triggers

• Show bars based on user behavior like exit intent or time spent on a page.

Compliance-Friendly

• Includes options for GDPR and cookie consent notifications.

Integration with Social Proof Widgets

• Combine with social proof notifications to amplify trust and engagement. 

Adding an announcement bar to your  site with WiserNotify is seamless. Sign up for a free plan to explore its features, then log in to your dashboard. Add your  site to generate a unique pixel code for integration.

To add an announcement bar to your  website, create a widget in WiserNotify. Follow these straightforward steps.

1. Create an Announcement Bar

• Log in to the WiserNotify dashboard.
• Navigate to the Create Notification section and select the Announcement Bar template.

• Customize the design by:
  • Adding a compelling message such as “Exclusive Discount! Limited Time Only.”
  • Choosing the appropriate font, colors, and background to align with your branding.
  • Including a clear Call-to-Action (CTA) button like “Shop Now” or “Learn More.”
• Preview the design to ensure it matches your preferences.
• Save the widget design and press Next.

2. Set Display Rules

 

• Configure display settings, such as showing the bar on specific pages or targeting users based on location or behavior.
• Schedule the announcement bar for a particular timeframe if needed.

Here’s a real-life example of how an announcement bar will look on a website.

 

3. Preview and Activate

• Preview the announcement bar to ensure it looks and functions correctly.
• Publish the bar to make it live on your website.

Steps to Install WiserNotify on Ecwid

1. Log in to your WiserNotify dashboard. Start with the free plan to explore the platform’s features.
2. Add your Ecwid site, and copy the unique pixel code provided.
3. Log in to your Ecwid admin panel.
4. Navigate to Plugins > Add New and search for “WiserNotify.”
5. Install and activate the plugin.
6. Paste the copied pixel code into the WiserNotify plugin settings.

Using WiserNotify, you can easily create and manage announcement bars on your Ecwid website. This ensures that your key messages reach your audience effectively and drive the desired actions.

How to Add an Announcement Bar to Ecwid Other Ways

Tools like Hello Bar or Sleeknote offer customizable announcement bars with advanced features like targeting and analytics.

1. Sign Up for a Third-Party Tool
   • Create an account with a tool such as Hello Bar or Elfsight Announcement Bar.
2. Customize the Announcement Bar
   • Design your bar with the tool’s editor. Add text, links, and style it to match your store.
3. Embed the Code in Ecwid
   • Copy the embed code provided by the tool.
   • In Ecwid, go to Settings > Design and paste the code into the Edit Storefront CSS section.
4. Save and Test
   • Save your changes and check your store to ensure the announcement bar is functional.

Best Practices for Announcement Bars

Position at the Top

• Ensure the bar is visible immediately when visitors arrive at your store.

Use High-Contrast Colors

• Choose a color scheme that makes the bar stand out but aligns with your branding.

Include a Clear CTA

• Add a clickable link or button to encourage user action.

Test on Mobile

• Optimize the bar for responsiveness to ensure usability on smaller screens.

Update Regularly

• Keep the bar’s content fresh and relevant.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Keep the message short and focused to avoid overwhelming users.
• Test the announcement bar on different devices to ensure compatibility.
• Regularly update or remove expired announcements to maintain credibility.
• Ensure visitors know what action to take next.

Match the bar’s design with your store’s overall theme.

Conclusion

Adding an announcement bar to your Ecwid store is a simple yet impactful way to engage customers and communicate key messages. Whether you use custom HTML and CSS, third-party tools, or JavaScript, you can create a functional and visually appealing announcement bar tailored to your needs.

Follow this guide to enhance your storefront and drive conversions today!